THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said the i Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program will help in the modernization and industrialization of the agriculture sector.
The program will not only decongest Metro Manila and ensure balanced regional development but will also be a platform for equitable distribution of wealth, resources and opportunities, said William Dar, DA secretary.
Executive Order (EO) No. 114, signed earlier this month, institutionalized the BP2 program as a pillar of balanced regional development and created a council to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes to promote balanced regional development and recommend to Congress the enactment of such reforms into law.
The council is also tasked to coordinate with local government units to formulate policies and implement program components aimed at boosting countryside development and inclusive growth, providing adequate social services and employment and attracting investors to set up rural industries and food logistics hubs.
Under EO 114, the DA is tasked to focus on attaining food security and increasing agricultural productivity.
The agency is also expected to converge with other government offices to create more livelihood opportunities and employment for both agri-fishery and non-farm sectors, enhance the capacities of farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and extend technical, financial and marketing support.
“We want the BP2 program beneficiaries to be productive and self-sustaining. As such, we will help them enlist as members of FCAs, teach them modern and innovative technologies, provide them farm inputs, machinery and equipment and give them access to affordable credit,” Dar said.
The DA will also assist in farm consolidation and clustering to create economies of scale to achieve cost efficiencies in the production of various food and processed products in identified BP2 program sites.
Through its Agricultural Credit and Policy Council, the DA will also provide BP2 program beneficiaries financial assistance, including micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and existing agripreneurs.
Individuals can borrow P25,000 at zero interest, payable in 10 years, while MSEs can secure loans of up to P10 million at zero interest and payable in five years.
